Partner Cynthia Urda Kassis (New York-Project Development & Finance) moderated a panel on “Strategies for Financing Mines, Desalination and Energy Projects” at the World Copper Conference 2017 in Santiago, Chile. The panel discussed key challenges of financing copper projects; alternative financing options including streams, royalties and prepaid purchases; the opportunities and challenges to consider when layering multiple different forms of financing (i.e., using both traditional and alternative financing structures); the current and future role of private equity in financing the copper industry; and the future role of traditional financing sources. The other panelists included Gordon Bodgen, Executive Chairman, Black Loon Metals; Nicholas Hooper, Managing Director, Rothschild Co; Guillermo Kaelin, Head of Latin America, Appian Capital Advisory; and David Trafford, Chief Executive Officer, Consulting, CRU.

CRU's World Copper Conference was held during CESCO Week Chile from April 3-5, 2017. The three-day conference is widely regarded as the leading copper conference and regularly attracts nearly 500 delegates from 40 countries. The international attendees represent the complete copper value chain from miners to smelters, traders and end-users.